Michigan

Engler urges cooperation with all Nassar-related investigations at Michigan State

Updated February 5, 2018 at 5:10 PM;Posted February 5, 2018 at 4:33 PM

Former Michigan Gov. John Engler speaks at a press conference at the Michigan State University Hannah Administration Building after he was named the interim president of MSU by the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. (J. Scott Park | Mlive.com)

Michigan State University Interim President John Engler on Monday reaffirmed his pledge to cooperate with state and federal investigators examining MSU's response to the Larry Nassar sex-abuse scandal, and he told employees to do the same.

And that extends to preserving documents that fall under the scope of those investigations, he said.

"If you are contacted by the Office of the General Counsel for assistance in responding to any such inquiry, you are expected to provide full assistance and give that request your prompt attention," Engler said in an open letter posted online. "You are also instructed to preserve any and all documents, records, or electronically stored information that relate to these inquiries."

Monday marked Engler's first day as interim president. The former Republican governor was appointed to the position by the board of trustees on Wednesday, Jan. 31, following the resignation of longtime President Lou Anna Simon amid growing outcry over the university's handling of the Nassar scandal.

Engler characterized recent events at MSU as "likely the most difficult times ever faced" by the university, and he urged employees to use caution in an attempt to not dispose of any record that could be relevant to investigations of sexual abuse or misconduct.

MSU is facing numerous investigations in response to its handling of the Nassar scandal.

That includes an investigation by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, a U.S. Department of Education Cleary Act compliance review, an examination of potential violations of NCAA legislation, and requests for information and records from state and federal lawmakers, according to Engler's letter.

On Friday, members of Schuette's team executed a search warrant at the university to collect records related to the investigation. The event was captured on camera by several local media organizations in attendance when the search was conducted.

Schuette's office, in a statement, suggested the information being sought was related to William Strampel, the former Dean of MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine who served as Nassar's boss. The items were not immediately turned over to the attorney general's office, despite a request from Schuette, his office said.

John Truscott, Engler's spokesman, said Schuette's decision to conduct the search in such a manner was "completely unncecessary," because the university was in the process of collecting and turning over the materials Schuette's office was after.

"It was a highly unusual tactic to drag a gaggle of cameras along," he said. "That's not something normally done."

Truscott said Engler's message related to document retention is unrelated to the events that unfolded Friday.

"As we talked to lawyers and police, we wanted to emphasize that everyone is expected to keep a hold of" records that are pertinent to the investigations, he said.